"We have approved approximately 310 zero emission vehicle purchases for state government use and about 252 ZEVs have been deployed by state departments," said Daniel Kim, director of the Department of General Services (DGS). "Those numbers include battery, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that are purchased through state contracts managed by DGS."

The ZEV purchase data announcement puts the state in a good position to meet the governor’s next goal, which calls for 25% of light-duty replacement fleet purchases to be zero emission by 2020.

Limited EV charging infrastructure and limited vehicle options are two of state departments’ biggest challenges in complying with the executive order. To assist with this, DGS has solicited and awarded contracts for solar electric charging stations and medium- and heavy-duty PHEVs.

DGS is also expanding the state’s vehicle charging station infrastructure. DGS manages about 70 Level 2 EV charging stations at state facilities with plans to install about 80 more by the end of 2016. DGS has also begun a statewide program to install a minimum of 1,000 basic Level 1 charging receptacles throughout all DGS garages and parking lots.

Additionally, DGS is working with the California Air Resources Board to establish ZEV credits for electric motorcycles as well as medium- and heavy-duty PHEVs.

Trucking shouldn't waste time on pipe-dreams like platooning and autonomous trucks and instead focus on improving logistics and making the trade appeal to young people, said Hendrickson's Jeff Sass while speaking at the Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange in Phoenix.